Barbless Circle Hook News

2013 Happenings

December 31, 2013

Rody Dasalla.

Dean Uyetake (right).

The Barbless Circle Hook Project had another busy year with lots of tournaments and "barbless challenges". The project has continued to
support keiki events on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Lanai. The adult events also spanned across the island chain doing outreach on all of
the major islands. We have added one new tournament this year — the Lolly Agliam Molokai Master's Fishing Tournament.

Anglers across the State have been making some nice catches using barbless circle hooks during the summertime tournaments. Other anglers
have been fishing barbless during their regular fishing outings and have emailed us pictures of their holo holo catches. Some catches of
note are Rody Dasalla's 92 pounder caught in March. Troy Haspe quickly followed up with a 55 pounder of his own. Kauai angler Kevin
Pongasi emailed pictures of his barbless ulua catches too. Rumors of Kauai being the 100 pounder capitol of Hawaii in 2013 were heard as
by the end of summer the coconut wireless had the Kauai total up over 20 and counting for just the fishing community alone.

Dean Uyetake of Hilo had a great ulua fishing season. While fishing in the S. Tokunaga Ulua Challenge he caught a 93.4 pound ulua on a
barbless circle hook to take the top honors. The story was that he caught it on the first day of the competition and it got pinned down
for about half an hour making for an interrupted 2-part battle. While it was pinned down he landed another smaller 46-lb ulua that hit
his other line right after the first strike got pinned down. Some guys got all the luck! After landing the smaller ulua he noticed that
the other line was again free and the fight was on. Boosting hard to keep it from getting pinned down again the huge fish finally
succumbed to the pressure. After landing it Dean saw that it was caught on his barbless slide. Dean beat out the field of just over 500
competitors in this grueling 4-day test of character. His awesome catch narrowly beat out Rody Dasalla's 92 pounder caught earlier
in the year to take the Barbless Circle Hook Project's top annual award — the 2013 Largest Barbless Circle Hook Ulua.